Bonjour, mes chers! Right. For those of you who don't know me, I'm not new here, but this is my first Hero Academia story! As you will quickly be able to tell, this is inspired and dedicated to corndog-patrol's Villain!Mic AU over on Tumblr! Definitely go check them and their AU out because the art is to die for and I couldn't help but to cobble something together for it all.

For those who need a recap or don't know, this is an AU in which Present Mic never went to U. A. and thus never met Eraserhead. Present Mic ends up becoming a villain and the hero who always ends up stopping him is Eraserhead himself. They're 30 as they are in the start of the show and Eraserhead is still the teacher of class 1-A at U. A. Villain!Mic tends to be a bit of a goofball in this AU, however, and it all ends with a happy ending.

Also, yes, this story is EraserMic because I am a humble shipper who has been reading every story for these two on AO3 for the past week or two. Hopefully I can provide a good story for you all and do this AU the justice it deserves!

Enjoy!

(Warning - This story will touch upon themes of past child abuse in the future as I explain my take on Present Mic's background in this AU. I'll put warnings on the chapters in question in the future, but here's your warning, now!)

Edited Note: One of the scenes at the end of this chapter was directly inspired by the comic made for this AU by anxioussailorsoldier over on tumblr: anxioussailorsoldier tumblr com/post/181601844418. So sorry for not giving you credit, before, I definitely know I meant to where it was such an amazing work of art. Definitely go give the artist some love!

Aizawa Shota stared at the aged, decrypt bar that was buzzing with music so loud the building itself might as well have been shaking itself to pieces. He certainly wouldn't be surprised if the crumbled brick walls were from the music if this is how nights normally went. He had originally been responding to a call about a public disturbance that had possibly morphed into a bar fight, but one look at the place had Shota rubbing at the bridge of his nose and wondering if it was too early for retirement.

While he didn't mind breaking up the average bar fight as they could lead to rather dangerous outcomes, it was never his favorite thing to do while on a patrol. Still, he was a pro hero, and an underground one at that. If he had to break up a bar fight, then so be it. He just wished he didn't have to deal with drunken idiots who didn't have control over their quirks.

Adjusting his goggles and swinging himself down to the street level, Shota lightly landed on the balls of his feet before settling his capture weapon back around his neck, careful as he circled around to the back of the bar and entered through an unlocked 'Employees Only' door. The music was even louder when he entered, and the kitchen was in utter disarray. Shota wasn't sure if that was from the supposed bar fight, though, or if that was just the typical state of this bar. He was willing to believe in the latter, considering the area he was in.

Creeping towards the swinging door, he paused as he surveyed the bar just out of sight and saw… He wasn't sure what he was seeing. There was a fair amount of what looked like drunken idiots, but everyone in the bar seemed to be singing to the same annoying American song that was playing on the karaoke machine.

Feeling a vibration from his pocket, Shota inched his way back into the dark kitchen and took his phone out, scrolling through the text alert from his agency - the only number he let through when he was out on patrol besides a select few others.

'Update: Bar on Block 7 thought to be held hostage by new villain with unknown quirk. Proceed with caution.'

"Wonderful," Shota muttered to himself, looking back up at the door and trying to decide if he could force someone else in his agency to deal with this. Considering he was the only hero not actively out on a mission, he doubted it.

Creeping back into the bar, Shota looked for whoever this new villain could be. A second look showed a lot of the people who were singing looked nervous or frightened, but a few of the drunker ones looked to be having the time of their no doubt short lives. It was unsurprising to see that almost everyone in the bar were well into their thirties and forties, but at least that meant he didn't have to worry about getting some stupid kids out of here.

Looking to the bar, Shota silently realized that he may have found his villain. He doubted there would be any other reason for a man to be dressed in nothing except leather and piercings with yellow hair slicked up like a bird's crest. He also had on what looked to be some type of support equipment around his neck and ears that had Shota placing a hand on his scarf. If this was the villain, then his quirk was unknown, but it didn't look like a physical mutation quirk - that was some good news for Shota, at least. If it was a danger, then he could erase it and be done with this mess.

The man looked well on his way to being drunk and had all the enthusiasm of a university student out for break, tossing back shots and looking to be singing along to the song along with the rest of the bar. While this new villain didn't look like much of a threat, Shota had never gone wrong in being cautious.

After one last look over to make sure there were no obvious weapons or traps, Shota leapt forward and threw his scarf out, wrapping it around the man tightly and yanking him off the bar and onto his feet, shot glass jerked out of his hand with the movement and shattering on the floor.

"Oi, oi, that's top shelf!" Even being wrapped up and unable to move, the villain looked as if he was having the time of his life. He didn't look young enough to actually be a university student, but maybe this was some kind of dare or hazing attempt? "Leave it to a hero to come crashing down on such a rockin' party!"

"I don't think your hostages consider this a party." Shota tightened his grip on the scarf, raising an eyebrow when the villain only beamed at him. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to come quietly?"

Those who weren't drunk idiots were scrambling out of the way - either leaving the bar entirely or finding a place to hide. Shota noticed a few of them were still singing up on the stage, looking completely unconcerned.

"What? You're not even gonna ask for my name, first?" The villain gave a wide and toothy smile, orange tinted sunglasses slipping down the bridge of his nose. "I thought they raised you heroes with some manners."

"Shockingly enough, those manners don't apply to villains like you. I'll ask you one more time - come quietly." Shota didn't bother to make it much of a question, instead checking to make sure the path to the door was clear and getting ready to use his quirk as soon as he would need it.

"Man, you're such a drag, Eraserhead." Whatever amusement Shota had in the situation vanished quickly as he looked back to the grinning villain. Shota knew that he was known as a pro hero, but he was an underground hero. The public wasn't meant to know his name - villains, however… They knew his name. "Oh? That got your attention… Ready to hear my name, then?"

Shota gave a little tsk, finally nodding his head. Honestly, these types got more and more dramatic each year. He couldn't believe some of them thought fighting in leather was comfortable, not to mention the sunglasses when they were in a dark bar.

"You're looking at the one and only Voice Villain – Present Mic!" The villain - Present Mic - gave a wide grin and looked like he had no fear. Shota could only stare, finally managing to find the words to describe the feeling he had inside of him.

"That's a stupid name." What was that even supposed to mean? Present Mic? It sounded like he just put some 'cool' English words together. Voice Villain, though… That meant his quirk no doubt had something to do with his voice.

"Hey now, that's a great name!" Present Mic looked thoroughly offended and he still wasn't fighting back.

"Sure. You can tell me all about it on the way to the police station." Jerking his scarf forward to make the man start moving, Shota watched as he whined and complained and screamed out a rather loud good night and goodbye to everyone in the bar.

Shota was tense the entire way to the police station as he waited for Present Mic to finally use his quirk and escape, but all he did was talk and talk and talk. Shota was starting to wonder if his quirk was simply annoying people with his voice when they finally got to the station, Shota handing the man off to police officers. Again, he half expected a fight, but Present Mic just grinned at him, seeming pleased as could be.

"Looks like our time together has come to an end, Eraserhead, but don't worry! I'm sure we'll meet again very soon." Staring at Present Mic for a long moment, Shota finally gave a snort of laughter.

"Right. Have fun playing arch nemesis, then." It happened occasionally that some thug or up and coming troublemaker would target him as some rival or enemy and take him out. They were usually kids that he could scare straight, but this guy looked as if he had just had one drink too many and needed a few days to sober up. Considering he hadn't even bothered fighting back and no one in the bar had looked hurt, Shota was sure 'Present Mic' wouldn't get charged with more than stealing some alcohol and being a public disturbance. "Night, Current Wire or whatever-"

"Oi! Present Mic! My name is Present Mic!" Honestly, like a toddler kicking up a fuss. Well, at least Present Mic had made his night briefly interesting and now he could go home and get some sleep. Not a terrible night, he supposed.

::

A week later from his first meeting with Present Mic and Shota was starting to wonder what gods he had managed to piss off. A response to a series of disturbances in bars along his patrol route showed that the villain was back at it again and this was the third time he was fighting the man - and fighting was a strong word.

"C'mon, Eraser, surely we can come to an understanding? You know, there's this diner I know that's open late-" Present Mic cut himself off with a grunt as Shota's fist connected with his stomach, a quick kick making the other's knees buckle before he was hitting the ground.

"Sorry, I don't go out with villains. Ready to come to the police station, yet?" It was too late to be dealing with this.

"Aw, but I thought we were having fun!" The pout looked ridiculous on a man that had to be around Shota's own age and it was starting to piss him off that he still didn't know what the man's quirk was, yet. He could probably find out from the police station, but that seemed like too much effort when he didn't care that much. "How about you at least agree to come with me for a coffee date?"

"How about no." The second Present Mic was back on his feet, he was charging towards Shota, who was a little impressed with the guy's speed. It wasn't enough to really surprise him, though, and soon Present Mic was collapsed on the floor and groaning again.

Looking to the latest bar owner, Shota pointed at Present Mic as he spoke, "Call the police and let them know I'm bringing him in. They'll handle whatever charges you want to press."

"Please." The owner was an older lady who looked to have been in her fair share of fights, black tail, claws, and ears showing she head a mutation quirk. "He's not even the most troublesome patron I've had. Damn loud, though."

"Mm." Civilians in this prefecture were always stranger than most, Shota had noticed. He wasn't sure if that made his job easier or harder some days, though. "Still."

With that, Shota wrapped Present Mic up in his scarf, once again grateful for his capture weapon as he tugged the man out of the bar before stopping on the sidewalk to properly tie his wrists behind his back with the weapon, bemoaning his lack of handcuffs. He really did need to get more, soon.

"You had better wrap it tight, baby, or I'll escape." Present Mic's flirtatious tone, Shota decided, was the most annoying part of him – that and his pet names. The second most annoying part was the fact that he didn't even seem like a villain. He was more of a misguided annoyance.

"Why are you even telling me that? Don't you want to escape, villain?" Giving a tug to make sure the knot was tight, Shota glanced up to see that Present Mic was looking over his shoulder, soft expression on his face. Shota noticed his sunglasses, multiple piercings, and ridiculous hair looked a touch less stupid with that expression.

"From you, hero? Never." Meeting the other's eyes and staring for a long moment, Shota finally snorted and gave the man's ankles a kick to get him moving.

"I'm turning you over to the police." And there was the pout, again, ineffective as always.

"Aw, man."

If nothing else, Shota supposed that Present Mic broke up the monotony of his usual nightly patrols. It was nice dealing with some tipsy idiot with a leather fetish rather than wasting a night on useless tips that never seemed to lead anywhere.

He just wasn't sure how to deal with this new 'villain,' though, when he started setting up traps to capture Shota and ended up falling into them himself.

"Ah, Eraserhead! You're probably wondering why I'm upside down like this-"

"I'm not."

"-but it's all a part of my master plan to capture you!"

No, Shota's nights certainly weren't boring anymore. He wondered if it was too late to change patrol routes.